//------------------------------// // Smells like Confusion // Story: Prank War! // by Ashfur //------------------------------// “So with that trade agreement out of the way, all we need to do is finish the paperwork for the day to arrange for Ponyville to have money allocated for the emergency fund.” Luna tilted her head to one side, looking at her sister across the the small meeting room they sat in.  The pair had met up to discuss any remaining paperwork they both needed to sign off on before the end if the year.  “But there is already a disaster fund, sister. And it applies to every town and city. Why doth Ponyville require a seperate one?” “Given the crazy events that happen around there, and the fact it borders the everfree forest, I've found it's better to have the extra funding and not need it than scramble to allocate funds later,” she explained.  “Plus, any bits leftover fund the local businesses.” “Ah, very well.  We art smelling thine nachos, sister.” It was very rare that Celestia was struck dumb by somepony's actions, even rarer when it was somepony she knew.  This, however, was one such occasion. “I… I'm sorry Luna, I must have misheard. What was that you just said?” “We said: ‘We art smelling thine nachos, sister’.  Art thou not aware of modern colloquialisms? Nicholas explained it to Us.” “Well, I've never heard that one before, Luna.  But if my guess is correct, you are picking up what I'm putting down, yes?” “No!  We do not pick things up off the floor, sister.  We have servants for that.” Celestia sighed, hanging her head in annoyance.  “It means that you understand what I'm trying to tell you, Luna.  Not that I expect you to clean your room. Even though you probably should,” she countered. Luna sat still for a moment, the gears turning in her head.  She finally seemed to understand. “Ah! We get it now. We feel thee, dear sister.” “Um, Luna, that not only doesn't make sense, but sounds highly inappropriate.  Is this another one of Nick's sayings?” “Yes.  Why, is it too strange, sister?  Perhaps We should stick to simply smelling the nachos of our subjects.” “That's almost as bad, Luna!  Nachos don't have anything to do with understanding, even remotely!  And claiming to feel somepony is highly inappropriate. Instead, just say that see where they are coming from!” “Very well.  Dost thou mean the doorway, or their hometown, sister?” Celestia facehooved.  She knew there were moments Luna seemed out of touch with the times with her archaic ways, but this was just sad. “Forget it, Luna.  If you're still curious, we can go ask Nick later.” “Why not now?  We are, as he says, not getting any younger sitting here.” “I suppose this can wait. Let's get going, Luna.  His room isn't too far from here.” “Bwahahahaha-” Nick paused in his guffawing to try and reclaim some of the precious oxygen he had lost.  “I can't breathe! You actually- Hahahaha! You actually used ‘I'm smelling your nachos’ in a conversation?  I totally got you, Luna!” He fell over laughing, finally losing his battle against balance, and continued chortling on the floor. “Yes, it is hilarious, Nicholas.”  Luna deadpanned.  “Thou confounded Us and made Us look the fool in front of our own sister.  Congratulations.” “I thought it was funny,”  Celestia cut in. “Oh, it was hilarious!”  Nick added, finally regaining his composure.  “When it comes to wordplay, it looks like today, I take the cake!” Nick's eyes went wide.  He regretted what he shouted instantly, shrinking back in fear of the now angry mare before him.  “Wait, I meant to say-” “YOU DID WHAT?!”